Interest Rates
The Credit Crunch and Student Loans
June 15, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
You’ve heard about the Credit Crunch and its tightening effect on lending guidelines in the mortgage industry, but what does it mean to millions of Americans who need student loans to help pay their college tuition?
The student loan market looked pretty bleak during the first quarter of 2008. Not only did the reduced benefits created [...]
The First Two Steps in Buying a Home
June 1, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Fairfax, VA – Statistics suggest that the Internet is the first destination and source of information for potential home buyers. In fact, nearly 80% of potential buyers reportedly begin their home buying process online. And why not? The Internet has a wealth of information and resources that can aid in the beginnings of the home [...]
Rates Have Hit All-Time Low Levels Again
May 26, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Interest rates have rallied and improved dramatically on the heels of the recent European debt concerns…and what is most important is that due to the highly unusual set of circumstances that exist in the market, those who are acting quickly are saving.
In fact, Freddie Mac reported last week that rates have met either all-time lows [...]
Age Old Debate: Payoff Your Mortgage or Invest?
March 23, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Why Payoff Your Mortgage
Fairfax, Virginia: Homeowners have been arguing this point since the invention of mortgages many years ago. Should a homeowner payoff their mortgage faster in order to save interest? Or should the homeowner invest that money into 401-K and other retirement vehicles to accumulate more money for retirement? The true answer lies in [...]
Taxes Are Your Biggest Expense!
March 19, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Fairfax, Virginia: Do you realize that your biggest expense every month is TAXES? If you don’t believe me, just look at your paycheck and see how much you earned versus how much you are actually bringing home! As you strive to save more money, eliminate debt, and build a successful financial future, minimizing your tax [...]
Market Snap Shot for Fairfax, Virginia
March 2, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Market Snap Shot for Fairfax, Virginia Mortgage Interest Rates and Local Real Estate
By Sigma Research
By Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Treasuries and mortgages started weaker this morning with the stock index futures pointing to a nice open in equities at 9:30. No real data this morning, the only thing on the schedule is Feb auto and truck [...]
Market Trends
January 26, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Mr. Market seems to be wanting to move down for the second leg of the correction – I’d expect markets to continue to sell off here on the indexes, and with that will go a further drop in consumer confidence which could weigh heavily on housing in the months ahead. To see the existing [...]
Homebuyer Tax Credit and IRS Form 5404
January 24, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · 1 Comment
Fairfax, Virginia:
The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance is the larger bill that included the homebuyer tax credit additions. Taxpayers wanting to take advantage of the first time home buyer credit (up to $8,000) or the new repeat home buyer tax credit (up to $6,500) can now get the revised IRS form 5405 to submit with [...]
The Times They Are A Changing
January 8, 2010 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
What’s ahead for home loans in 2010
This year could bring significant changes from 2009 for those seeking home loans. Over the last year, home prices fell to 2003 and earlier levels in many parts of the country. In addition, home loan rates declined to the lowest levels on record and this combination led to the [...]
Interest Rates-When is the best time to lock?
December 17, 2009 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
I always advise my clients to lock in their interest rate at the earliest opportunity. Gambling with a client’s interest rate is never advisable. In my business, I have a standardized system in place that we adhere to for all of our clientele.
A mortgage loan cannot be closed without locking in a rate, and there [...]
Fed Meeting and Interest Rates
November 11, 2009 by Jeff Thomas · Leave a Comment
Mortgage Backed Security prices are down -1/32 (FNMA 30-yr 4.5 at 100.26), above 9:45 et pricing of -5/32. There was little interest rate reaction to the Federal Reserve announcement. October In Supply Management Services came in a little lower than expected. The Treasury will auction a record $81 billion in 3-yr, 10-yr, and 30-yr Treasuries [...]